June 6, 2013 • Vol. 90, No. 5 IT’S AS EASY AS 1 2 3 !
1. Log onto wilegion.org and click on “Renew Online” 2. Enter your name and member ID number 3. Pay with MasterCard, Visa or Discover That’s it! You’re done. You will receive your new membership card in the mail. No more renewal notices. No more stamps.
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“For God & Country”
Badger &“Wisconsin”
The Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs offers three beautiful facilities across the state that offer quality medical care that enhances the quality of life for veterans and their spouses. Our dedicated staff strive to meet the unique needs of veterans by providing compassionate care built on the foundation of integrity, honor and respect. Come see for yourself what the Wisconsin veterans homes has to offer and how we are serving those who selflessly served for us all.
MERLIN RAYE ALLEN LCpl Merlin “Merl” Raye Allen, born Oct. 22, 1946, in Madison, and listed as KIA/BNR since June 30, 1967, from a helicopter crash in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam, will be making his long-awaited return home to be laid to rest on York Island, Lake Superior. Merl made lifelong friends as the family moved from Madison to Winneconne, Omro, and finally to Bayfield. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps upon graduating from Bayfield High School in 1965 and completed Basic Training. He served in the Republic of Vietnam as a member of Team Striker with the 3rd Recon Bn, 3rd Marine Division early in 1967. On June 30, 1967 a CH46A helicop-
ter piloted by Capt. John A. House carrying Navy and Marine Corps personnel was hit by small arms fire, exploded and crashed. Among the passengers onboard the aircraft were LCpl Merlin R. Allen, LCpl John D. Killen, and Cpl. Glyn L. Runnels. Also onboard was the company’s hospital corpsman, Petty Officer Third Class Michael B. Judd. Although some of the personnel aboard survived, House, Allen, Judd, and Killen were never found, nor were remains recovered that could be identified as theirs. The four men were listed as killed in action, body not recovered. After the family learned of Merl’s helicopter crash and being told he was not recovered, the family was left with few answers and kept unvoiced hope that he would be found alive. Nearly 2500 Americans did not re-
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Oct. 22, 1946 — June 30, 1967
All Who Served
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Legionnaires across the state can receive the latest Legion news and win free Legionwear simply by using the Online Subscription Sign-up for the Badger Legionnaire. Simply go to our website at: www.wilegion.org. On the home page under ‘Department News’ click ‘Get Your Legion News Online’. Fill out the online subscription form and you will receive e-mail alerts, Adjutant’s Notes, messages from the Department Commander, and, of course the Badger Legionnaire at your e-mail address. Each month, two e-subscription members will be randomly
drawn to receive free items of Legionwear fashion apparel. Making the switch to the e-subscription service will also help the Department to save printing and postage costs! Money saved will help strengthen our much-needed Veteran’s and youth programs. Be a Winner! Go on-line and visit: www.wilegion.org. Click ‘Get Your Legion News Online’ under ‘Department News’. Enjoy the latest Legion news, save money and show your pride by wearing some new Legionwear fashion apparel!
turn from Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam war. Some, like the pilot and passengers of the CH46, are probably dead and will never come home. Since the end of the war, however, thousands of refugee reports have been received that indicate hundreds of Americans are still alive, held captive. It is a matter of pride in the Marine Corps that one’s comrades are never left on the field of battle to fall into the hands of the enemy. One can imagine that these men, had they survived, would willingly go on one more mission for the return of those who still await rescue. In February 2013, the family was notified that members of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command had recovered and later identified Merl’s remains. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, June 28, at the Bratley Funeral Home in Washburn. Visitation will continue at the Bayfield High School gymnasium from 9AM on Saturday, June 29 until 10:30 AM when a funeral service will celebrate Merl’s life and honor his sacrifice. Military honors will be held at Little Sand Bay immediately following the service. Private burial will take place on York Island.